Bedrest

Why would a doctor prescribe bedrest?

Bedrest During Pregnancy
Bedrest is a common practice during pregnancy to help control or prevent some pregnancy complications. Bedrest can differ from woman to woman. Some conditions require longer bedrest than others. The amount of bedrest may range from simple resting at home to full bedrest and monitoring in a hospital. Occasionally, doctors will recommend bedrest for the duration of a woman's pregnancy. It is hard to be excited when you need to be getting things ready for the new baby and can't because of bedrest. Bedrest may prevent you from going to work or taking care of daily tasks at home. It is normal and common to be worried about your health and your baby's health. With careful monitoring and doctor supervision, your bedrest should help prevent any possible complications.

Try to greet each day with a smile, follow a routine and make the best of your time. The day can seem lengthy and boring if you do not have anything to keep you occupied. Here are some ideas to help you get through the day:

Take a brief shower or bath-ask your doctor first
If possible, put on regular clothes
Eat three balanced meals and two snacks
Engage in activities
Take a short nap

You need to keep a few things near you during the day. Bedrest will lose its benefit if you continuously have to get up to get needed items. If you need something that you do not have, ask for help:

a few comfortable clothes or robes/gowns
bras and underwear
slippers
telephone and phone numbers
paper, pencils, and address book.
any necessary medications
watch or clockdeodorant, shampoo, makeup, etc.
brush,comb and mirror
magazines, books, puzzles, calendar, and craft projects
laptop computer, if possible

Things To Do While On Bedrest:

Small craft items. If you are in the hospital, they may have an activities therapist that can visit you. If your hospital does not offer this service, ask family members of friends to bring you something that interests you.
Read. Most hospitals have libraries that you can borrow books from. Use your time in the hospital to finish up a book that you have been wanting to read. Have friends or family bring you parenting and baby magazines, or other magazines that you like.
Mail. Use this time to write to friends and family that you have not talked to in awhile. Put your cards and letters up in your room. Encourage friends and family to use an email service if your hospital offers it.
Keep a journal. More than likely, you will forget details of your pregnancy. Write down your feelings, thoughts and anything special that occurs. Work in the baby's book.
Music/movies: Many hospitals have a patient library that you can borrow from. Ask if the patient library has cassette tapes, videos and VCR's to reserve. Your nurse may be able to provide you with educational videos about birth, pregnancy and premature babies.
Learn: Ask your nurse for information about being on bedrest. If there is a particular reason for your bedrest, ask to see literature on that subject.
Crosswords puzzles and other brain teasers: These can be a fun, challenging way of passing away the hours.
Organize photo albums, recipe books, update address books, etc..

Family And Friends Can Help:

Calling your room throughout the week to see how you are and if you need anything.
Helping in the house with chores, cooking, paying bills, and childcare.
Visitation is an important way that friends or family can help you. You won't feel so lonely if you have visitors from time to time.

Your Other Children:

As long as your children are not sick, they should visit you as often as possible. When they can not visit, talk to them on the phone.
Keep pictures of your children near your bed. You may want to post pictures they have drawn for you also.
Encourage your children to talk about how they feel. It is hard having mom out of the picture for awhile.
If on bedrest at home, you should have someone that can help out with the children and household duties.

It is important that you help the nurses and doctors help you. They will probably want you to keep track of baby's movements, contractions and any changes in how you physically feel. You should be recording how much you drink and eat. If you are not catheterized, you should also keep track of your urine output. Watch for signs of illness and notify your nurse or doctor if you are not feeling well.

Your doctor may prescribe bed est for any number of reasons. Normally he or she has found a complication that bedrest will help with. It is in the best interest of you and your growing baby to cooperate with the doctor's decision and rest to ensure a healthy pregnancy. If you are experiencing high blood pressure, vaginal bleeding, premature labor, poor fetal movement or have gestational diabetes you may be a candidate for bedrest. Bedrest may also help you if you are having multiples or have a history of pregnancy loss, stillbirth or premature birth. An incompetent cervix, early dilation and any type of placenta problem may also require bedrest.

In most cases, you will be asked to sleep or rest on your side, preferably the left side, with your knees or hips bent. The best position for bedrest will depend on your situation and what complication your healthcare provider is trying to address or prevent. You may be asked to lie on your back while being propped up with pillows or lying on your back with your hips or legs elevated higher than your shoulders.

Bedrest Discomforts
Even though you are resting in the bed, you will probably experiene some discomforts. Because you are going to be lying down for long periods of time, bedrest will likely cause your muscles to loose tone and make some of your joints ache. Changing from side to side will help stimulate your muscles and relieve pressure. Your blood circulation will also be poor and if your doctor agrees, mild exercise would ensure better circulation. Turning your feet and arms in circles, pressing your hands and feet against the bed, tensing or tightening your arms and leg muscles and massages can help relieve some discomfort. If your doctor allows, a nice bath may do the trick as well.

You should ask your doctor if you have any questions about what exactly bedrest means. Some women can do light activities, while others can not. Some activities that many women question are: cooking, light chores, walking, bathing, driving, exercise and sexual intercourse. It is very important that you not overdo your activities.

There are many support groups that you can be involved in even when you are on bedrest. If you belong to a church, see if they can arrange for a weekly prayer and communion visit. Take advantage of the many internet sites that offer support and advice for other women who are also on bedrest. If you are in the hospital, ask your nurse if there are any programs set up for women to gather and share their feelings and friendship with one another.

Comments: Bedrest

Comments 26 to 49 of about 199.
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babyetienne - 213 days ago.
22 weeks and still on bedrest!i gained 15 pounds already!i hope its all the baby!LOL how are you girls doing?acid reflux is hitting on me again!good thing i have nexium!oh andmy boobs are just totally huge now!and full of milk sometimes it leaks!my baby moves alot too especially every after meals!he's really strong that sometimes it hurts!LOL

ubiquim - 214 days ago.
Bedrest is pretty hard, not only for the ones that have to go through it, but for their environment too. I had a toddler and relied on my mom to take care of her. It was hard especially in the beginning. Later people get used to the situation. I believe that bedrest works and so did my doctor. So stay strong and do what you have to do. Your baby and a good outcome depend on it.

adriana03 - 214 days ago.
Looks like Im going to be joining you ladies pretty shortly. I just have to get my ultrasound but all signs point to yes!

RuthGrounded - 214 days ago.
krystalnf - your friends are not doctors. You are not hurting the baby by lyiing down. If anything is increases the blood flow to the baby which is good. Tell them you are listening to your doctor and they know what is best. If you were put on complete bed rest there must be good reason for it.

krystalnf - 214 days ago.
two doctors have put me on complete bedrest and pelvic rest. i'm currently living with friends right now and they keep yelling at me to get up and walk. that i'm hurting the baby by not getting up. the doctor told me that the only excersize i should get is going to the bathroom and letting my dog outside to go to the bathroom. i'm getting sick of it. i'm afraid to open my mouth and tell them off but they're letting us live here for pretty much nothing. i don't know what to do but it's really starting to piss me off.

lilmiracle2009 - 215 days ago.
Ruth - Thanks for the encouragement. With each week that passes, I am a little less anxious. I just wish time was passing faster. It's amazing how fast time goes by through eveyrday life. Now, it almost seems like it's at a stand still. I know I will get to the time when my baby will be born (safe). I am just so excited and anxious.

RuthGrounded - 215 days ago.
lilmiracle - you'll get there, really. I know it seems so far away but it will come! Hang in there.

lilmiracle2009 - 215 days ago.
Ruth - I hope that the progesterone works for you. It's good that you are 29 weeks. You are closer to a full-term pregnancy. I wish I was as far along as you are. My mind would be more at rest.

RuthGrounded - 215 days ago.
lilmiracle - this is my first pregnancy so no history of IC. They did not do a cerclage b/c when they noticed it I was having preterm labor and there would be a risk of tearing. I was also already 21 weeks. Also, the high-risk dr I saw is not a fan of cerclages. They are big believers in progresterone treatments. I am on progest. suppositories. Every situation is different. There are so many great cerclage success stories. I would have liked one if I was able to.

lilmiracle2009 - 215 days ago.
Ruth - Do you know why your doctor didn't suggest a cerclage for you? Do you have a history of an incompetent cervix?

RuthGrounded - 215 days ago.
lilmiracle - 3.5 cm is great. If they are checking you regularly and you are taking it easy, I would try not to worry. I know it is tough! I was 2.4 at 20 weeks and dropped to 1.6 at 21 weeks. I have been at 1.6 - 2.2 for the last 8 weeks - no cerclage! The fact you have a cerclage is reassuring. They are keeping a close eye on you...stressful but good.

lilmiracle2009 - 216 days ago.
babyetienne - I am glad to hear that the baby is fine. It gives me hope that if I go into pre-term labour after 24 weeks, the baby has a chance at survival.

lilmiracle2009 - 216 days ago.
Ruthgrounded - I had a cerclage put in at 14w6d. So far it's holding. I am concerned though because my last U/S showed that my cervix is shorter than the last time I had a U/S. My OB/GYN is not concern right how because it is 3.5 cm. She said that if it gets to 2-2.5 cm, then that's when it becomes dangerous. I am 22 weeks today. I just pray that I will at least make it to 26 weeks. I will feel a lot better because I would have had the steroid shots and I know from past experience that the baby can survive and do well.

RuthGrounded - 216 days ago.
Oh my goodness...24 weeks that is so early! Glad to hear they are doing ok!

babyetienne - 216 days ago.
a quick story: my friends friend gave birth yesterday she's only 24 weeks!because of her placanta problems!they are both ok but the baby is so tiny as what my friend said and they had to give her this 5 shots that cost 20thousand pesos per shot thats like 400dollars per shot and thats a big value here in the philippines!

RuthGrounded - 216 days ago.
I've been on bedrest for 8 weeks....since I was 21 weeks. UGHHH...some days are harder than others. I am able to work from home which is a big help. How many weeks are you?

babyetienne - 216 days ago.
ruthgrounded: nexium is the best!:) the doc said its ok to take it coz im in my second trimester already,BTW how long have u been on bedrest?

RuthGrounded - 216 days ago.
Going out for dinner, what a nice treat! Congrats on 2weeks down. I've read that heartburn etc is worse on bedrest b/c you are laying down all the time. Is the Nexium helping cuz I could use some relief myself. As far as the discharge, it could be from the internal exam but you may want to give your dr a call to be on the safe side.

babyetienne - 216 days ago.
hey guys!2 weeks bedrest already and had a treat awhile ago! had my doctors check up then my hubby brought me to a resto after!i just sat there and ate though!but it was awesome to be able to go out!how are u ladies?im having bad acid reflux thats why im on nexium now!oh and some days i have discharge with a little bit of brown blood is it ok?they did an internal exam on my thing the other day though sorry TMI!hope everyones doing great!we can do this!:)

MCollinsRN - 216 days ago.
So I went for my ultrasound this morning (for growth) and the tech said he was big...I am 31 and 3/7 and he weighs 4 lbs 5 oz. He is measuring like a 33 and 6 day baby! I also have too much fluid--she thinks a combo like this is why I am in preterm labor! Comforting to know it was not an infection like they had thought!

RuthGrounded - 216 days ago.
lilmiracle2009 - I will be 29 weeks this Thursday. I say I am on modified bed rest becasue there are three drs in my practice. One is all about bed rest, one is on the fence and one doesn't believe in it. I have been cleared to work from home and go out here and there but very minimal. I have been on bedrest since 21 weeks. Thankfully, my cervix has remained the same and I have had negative ffn test for the past six weeks. I see you have an incompetent cervix. Do you have a cerclage? Keep your spirits up. My girlfriend had her 1st at 26w due to IC (he is doing great) and went on to have her second and was induced! No cerclage, no bedrest. Just progesterone shots. You can do it!

lilmiracle2009 - 217 days ago.
Ruthgrounded - It's wonderful to talk to someone who can relate. All my friends and relatives who have had babies have never been on bedrest, so they have no idea what it's like. Everyone tries to give advice, but unless they have walked in the same shoes, they cannot really understand. What really irks me is when people tell me not to worry about the preparations, that they ar not important right now. I agree that they are not number one on the list, but preparing is still very important. This is something that I have dreamed about since I was younger. When I found out I was pregnant, I was so excited. I would have started preparing from that moment, but it was too early. Anywho that was my rant for the day. I hope that I can switch to modified bedrest once I hit 34 weeks. It seems so far away. How far along are you now Ruth...?

monstamama - 217 days ago.
Hey ladies- I feel for you...I truly do. I am finally off bedrest and I am waiting for labor start, I'm 39 weeks today. They allowed me off besrest at 34 weeks but I was still pretty weak and confined until 36 weeks. Now I feel pretty good. ANYWAY- this site was invaluable to me. I had my tv shows like Discovery Health: Birth Day and TLC: Bringing Home Baby, along with What Not to Wear and whatever else that was on. I did the crossword, read, wrote or sketched when I felt inspired to, talked on the phone. Blogging and keeping up with this forum was probably my favorite thing to do. I feel bad for those of you with no support network. I was lucky in having an AMAZING husband, his mom, my three sisters, etc. The three things I would advise you to do are: 1) If anyone offers help (cleaning, making a meal, company) take them up on it. 2) Have a daily routine- time goes by a lot quicker if you have activities to look forward to throughout the day. A big blob of unplanned time will sit on you like a 1,000 lb weight. That unplanned time is when your brain will start asking the what ifs and when you start feeling stir crazy. It doesn't have to be a very structured schedule, just a loose organization- like get up around the same time, eat breakfast, read the paper, then shower, etc. And finally, 3) Stay positive and if you have too much on your plate to stay positive then it is time to get some help. Even if you feel completely alone, desserted, on the edge of a cliff- you can get help...all you have to do is ask...search on the internet, ask a friend, a family member, your neighbor. I wish all of you good luck. I don't even have my baby in my arms yet but I know it was worth it. I have already done more than some mothers, I made a decision to give my baby the best chance of survival. And so have all of you...give yourself a pat on the back and tell the men in your lives that you deserve something special...I don't care if its a twinkie...but he better bring you one once a week!!

MCollinsRN - 217 days ago.
Unhappy-- I can relate. I just came home from the hospital (2nd time in a week) so they could stop my contractions. Everytime I go to the docotr for my regular visits, they ship me there and admit me. My husband does not get it. I drove myself there, drove myself home, cleaned when I got here, then made dinner. I'm sure I will have to clean up. I am glad for you your husband is supportive. Mine acts like I am a whiner. On the other hand, my mom is very supportive and allows me to rest. What my husband does not understand is the more I do the longer I am off and will have to return to the hospital. I think he is resentful due to the financial burden I am bringing to the family---I dunno, it stinks though...

unhappyhippie - 217 days ago.
Hi, I'm new. Been on bedrest since first week of Feb for symphysis pubis dysfunction; employer was trying to force me to go out since they didn't want to be liable if I fell down. Not sure if I'll have a job when maternity leave is up, and it was easy to ignore in the first days, but now I'm stressed and depressed, too. No visitors, except one visit from my so-called best friend who really stopped by to use my internet and set up her printer. How do you survive this? DH has been great, but he's only one man.